Parting Ways

Night had begun to fall, and the sun sat low in the horizon. Neither dragons were tired, but it was getting late. The prince indulged Lanfei for a while, but he could not put it off any longer; it was time to return.

Reborn, Lanfei was a child in dragon form. Always energetic, always ready to play. She could not have known about the imperial duties of a prince, or how demanding they could be.

"Follow," he pleaded, for he didn't want to use magic to force her.

Begrudgingly, Lanfei followed.

They continued east, and in a single second, they were met with the gates of the Imperial Palace. It was an immense, expansive paifang, ancient Chinese calligraphy carved onto the gold pillars, along with intricate etchings. Above on the roof, countless great tiles, were decorated with paintings of glorious dragons, of all kinds. Lanfei was surprised to see not only traditional Chinese dragons, with long slender bodies and long talons, but all kinds.

There were other mythical dragons with massive tails, and wings!

Before Lanfei had a moment to take all in, the prince urged her to continue, and Lanfei took one last glance at the mythological beasts from the west. She wondered if she would enjoy the sensation of wings gliding beside her, of the sharp movements of flapping wings.

She didn't ponder it for long. As soon as her eyes focus in front of her, she lost her breath.

In a luminous red lined with gold, stood the Imperial Palace. It was grander than anything she could've imagined or anything humans could create. It stood proudly on the clouds, doorways so large dragons could easily pass through.

"We have no time—we have to go in." Diving into the gates, the prince destroyed the doors of the front. Tentatively, Lanfei followed.

He flew hurriedly through, ignoring the servants crying for him to stop. Lanfei couldn't help noticing the servants' gasps as she flew by, and how some of them shed tears of joy.

"He found her—the river goddess!"

Reaching the grandest of doors, the prince transformed in a flash into his true mortal form, clad in royal robes with his long hair bellowing behind him.

"I am here to see my father, the emperor. I have found the river goddess."

The guards at the gates bowed and knocked their scepters on the ground twice, commanding the doors to open to the imperial throne room.

Behind him, Lanfei hurried to change back, but wasn't sure how. Trying to copy the prince, she transformed into herself hours prior, still in her school uniform. However, her transformation was imperfect and her dragon scales shone through her skin.

Tumbling in on human legs she forgot how to used, she stood behind the kneeling prince, marveling at the grandeur of this room and more specifically, at the emperor sitting on the throne.

He was wearing golden robes embroider with dragons. His royal crown had beading and golden pins, but his expression was masked behind it all.

He spoke with the prince Lanfei couldn't understand, but felt so familiar with. Perhaps it was the dragon's spirit in her that understood.

"Is this her?" The emperor said from his throne, eyes on Lanfei and she wondered if she too should kneel.

"Yes, my father, royal emperor. I have found the river goddess."

"I see... Her scales are just like hers... The first time I saw her, I thought the light was playing tricks on me."

The prince knew now that he was not talking about Lanfei, but his empress.

"You have found light, Wanhai, son. Do not be blinded, but do not close your eyes. I have spent a thousand years with her, but it was not enough. Love her as I have loved your mother, and love her as she leaves. Now leave me," the emperor sighs, and mournfully, the prince nodded, standing back up.

"Thank you father."

Following him out or the room, Lanfei bubbled with questions, but seeing the look on his face, tried to hold them back. The scepters knocked once, and the doors lumbered back.

Through the closing doors, Lanfei looked back at the emperor. It was the last time she would see him.